'GMA' Clarifies Problematic 'Elf On The Shelf' Story For Disgruntled Viewers (VIDEO)

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"Good Morning America" spent some time clarifying a problematic report on the popular Christmas tale "Elf on the Shelf."

During Lara Spencer's segment on the Christmas story last week, some viewers accused the "GMA" host of ruining the holiday tale. According to "Elf on the Shelf" legend, families celebrating Christmas place an elf in their homes to watch the children. He then sneaks off at night to the North Pole where he informs Santa Claus if the children are naughty or nice.

Spencer let it slip that the elf doesn't really run off to the North Pole, and showed that parents actually remove the doll at night. She also touched the elf on set, which is apparently against the rules.

The New York Post reported that some viewers posted on the morning show's Facebook page, outraged that the show ruined the Christmas story for their children who happened to be watching.

So the following day, the merry hosts of "GMA" made sure to set the record straight. Spencer said that the show had named their elf "Gary the Good Morning America Elf." Spencer clarified that the elf only gains its magical powers after it's officially named, and does in fact run off to the North Pole at night.

"We want to make sure that everyone knows that we were talking about him yesterday before he had his magic. We had not yet adopted him or named him, which we have now, and according to the legend ... the elf does not have magic until you adopt him and you name him," Spencer said. "So nobody touch Gary, he now has his magic ... Hands off the elf."

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'GMA' Clarifies Problematic 'Elf On The Shelf' Story For Disgruntled Viewers (VIDEO)

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DIANE SAWYER, GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS

This photo released by ABC shows Diane Sawyer, left, and George Stephanopoulos during election night coverage early Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, from ABC News' Times Square Studios in New York. (AP Photo/ABC, Donna Svennevik)